Powerlifter Steve Brown is hoping for further success on the world stage after he successfully defended his British Masters title, improving six of his own world records in the process.

Steve, who is blind and trains with the University of Bradford's Power and Weightlifting Club with coach Eddie Bennett, recently travelled to Edinburgh for this year's British Masters.

At a body weight of 60kg, Steve squatted 180kg, benchpressed 90kg and dead-lifted an incredible 207.5kg.

Steve is now hoping to repeat or better his performance at the World Blind Championships in Canada in August.

In early 2001 Steve claimed his first world record in the 2000 World Blind Powerlifting Championships in Arnhem, Holland before going on to set seven more world records at the same event.

The 2001 Championships were cancelled, but in 2002 Steve defended his title in the Czech Republic.

That year Steve turned 40 and was lifting as a Master. Not only did he win his class once again, but he was also able to set another ten world records.

Not content with lifting against his fellow blind competitors, Steve competed against sighted lifters in the 2002 British Masters, where he took his class to become the British Champion.

Director of Physical Recreation at Bradford University, Steve Teasdale, said: "Everyone concerned with the club hopes that Steve can repeat or better his performance from last year's World Blind Championships .

"The University's Sports and Recreation service has always been proud of its links with individuals and organisations in the locality. Steve Brown's achievements can justly be viewed as a product of such a partnership."